2. Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease caused by a bacterium
called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. TB can affect the lungs and
other parts of the body. In some people, it can lead to serious
complications and even death, especially if the body is weakened
by other health problems.
The disease is rare in the UK due to a large-scale vaccination
programme. People who get it are usually cured, provided they
get treatment. However, it is still a common cause of death in
other parts of the world.
MYCOBACTERIUM
3. Tuberculosis worldwide
The World Health Organisation estimates that a third of the
world's population (1.5 billion people) is infected with TB. Of these
cases, 95% are in low and middle-income countries - particularly
in Africa and Asia. TB kills three million people every year, most of
these deaths are in poorer countries.
In the UK, just over 6,000 cases of TB are reported each year, and
this number is rising slowly. Every year, in the UK, about 500
people die from the disease.
4. How is tuberculosis caught?
TB is caught by breathing in droplets containing the bacteria, for example,
when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Anyone can get TB, but it's more
likely if you already have another disease, don't eat well, or live in
overcrowded or sub-standard housing.
People have a greater risk of catching TB if they:
•already have a weakened immune system (eg people with HIV)
•have an alcohol or drug misuse problem
•have diabetes or some other long-term condition
•are taking medicines that suppress the immune system
•travel to places where TB is common
•live within a large immigrant population from a country where TB is common
•regularly come into contact with people who have TB lung infection (eg
healthcare workers)
5. What happens when you get TB?
In many people who become infected with TB, the immune system (the
body's defence mechanism) not successfully fights off the infection. When
this happens, the bacteria become encapsulated in tiny tubercles (round
lesions) usually in the lungs which may be seen on a chest X-ray. The
bacteria are still in the body, but there are no symptoms and it cannot be
passed on. This is called latent or primary tuberculosis. Depending on how
quickly the immune system fights the infection, there may be:
•no symptoms at all
•minor symptoms for a few weeks, which then go
•some symptoms a few days or months later
•People whose immune systems have fought the infection will then be
immune to TB.
6. Symptoms
Symptoms of active primary TB include:
a persistent cough - there may also be lots of phlegm, sometimes
bloodstained ,swollen glands, especially in the neck ,tiredness, loss of
appetite ,weight loss ,sweating at night ,chest pain on breathing in,
caused by inflammation of the membranes lining the lungs (pleurisy)
The initial TB infection normally affects the lungs. This is called
pulmonary TB. Active pulmonary TB is contagious because droplets
exhaled during sneezing or coughing contain bacteria.
TB often spreads to lymph nodes. It can also affect bones, joints and
kidneys, and cause a type of meningitis (inflammation of the
membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord).
KIDNEY LYMPH NODESBLOODSTAINED
7. Tests for TB
The most common test for TB is the tuberculin test. The test detects latent
TB and is also used with vaccination programmes.
There are two ways to do the test.
The most common one is called the Heaf test. A small device with six small
needles is pressed onto the skin of the forearm. The needles carry tiny
amounts of tuberculin protein, which is derived from the bacteria. One week
later, a doctor or nurse will examine the skin at the site of the test to see if
there has been a reaction.
An alternative, the Mantoux test involves injecting the tuberculin protein
into your skin. The results can be reviewed just 48 hours later.
In either case, the doctor or nurse is looking for a raised red reaction on
your skin. This is a positive result, meaning you have been exposed to the
TB bacteria. The reaction is then graded.
8. Treatment
People with either active or latent TB are treated with a combination of
antibiotic tablets to kill the bacteria. Treating latent TB prevents the
infection becoming active. Many people can be treated at home but
some may need to go to hospital for the first week or so, especially if
they are very ill or thought to be very infectious. The antibiotics are
usually taken for six months. A longer course of treatment may be
needed if the bacteria are resistant to one or more of the antibiotics. It
is very important to take the full six-month course of antibiotics, and
take the antibiotics regularly, otherwise resistance to the antibiotics
can develop. Treatment with antibiotics nearly always works, provided
that the full course of medication is taken as prescribed.
9. Some people may get side-effects from the antibiotics.
These can include:
visual disturbances reaction,dizziness,nausea ,skin
flushes ,fever , jaundice (yellow skin or eyes), pins and
needles ,Anyone who notices any of these symptoms
should not stop taking the medication, but should take to
a doctor as soon as possible. An alternative treatment
may be needed.
10. Immunisation
The best way to control TB in poor countries is to improve living
conditions and nutrition. But many countries, including the UK, also
run a large-scale immunisation programme. This is the most
effective way to prevent the disease spreading in the population. In
the UK, immunisation is given as the BCG (Bacillus Calmette-Guérin)
vaccination. This protects between 70 and 80% people who have it.
Children are usually immunized around the age of 13 years, although
they may be immunized at birth if they are at high risk. Vaccination is
not usually recommended for people over 45 unless they are in a
high-risk group. Immunisation lasts for at least 15 years. Re-
immunisation is not recommended. Before giving the vaccination,
the doctor or nurse must first check whether you are already
immune.
12. tuberculosis
PRESENTED BY: K.G.MALLIKARJUN
JNV BETUL,(M.P.)
SPECIAL THANKS :1.NVS(HR), BHOPAL
2. B.D.RAMTAKE, PRINCIPAL
JNV,BETUL(M.P.)
3. Sri B.SUDHEER, FCSA
4. JNV STAFF,
BETUL (M.P.)
ALL THE COPY ® 2005 RESERVED
END OF THE PRESENTATION
